Buying a home can feel stressful, especially near the end. A final walkthrough helps ensure everything is in good shape before you sign. This guide will show you what to check and why it matters.
Keep reading to protect your investment!
What Is a Final Walkthrough?
A final walkthrough is the last step before closing a home purchase. It lets buyers check if the property matches what was agreed upon in the purchase agreement. This includes checking for completed repairs, ensuring no new damage happened, and verifying everything works as it should.
Buyers usually do this after sellers leave the house. The process takes 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how big the property is or how many issues need a review. Buyers often bring their checklist, inspection report, purchase agreement, and a camera to document any problems found during this final inspection.
Purpose of a Final Walkthrough
The walkthrough gives buyers a chance to check the home before closing. It ensures all repairs in the contract are done and no new problems exist. Buyers can confirm that systems like heating, cooling, and appliances work correctly.
This step helps avoid costly surprises after moving in, which could cost $1,200–$3,500 for fixes. The process also makes sure the house is move-in ready and meets all agreed conditions.
Buyers can feel confident about their investment during this final assessment.
Final Walkthrough Checklist
Check everything carefully to ensure the home is in the agreed condition—don’t miss a thing.
Verify requested repairs
Bring a repair list and the home inspection report to the walkthrough. Look at every agreed repair carefully. Unfinished repairs delay 25% of closings, so this step matters.
Check that appliances work well. Test all outlets, systems, and lights for proper function. Inspect caulking on walls, ceilings, and baseboards too. Notify your real estate agent right away if anything is not fixed as promised.
Ensure no new issues have arisen
Check for new defects like cracks, leaks, or water damage. Inspect walls, ceilings, and floors for any signs of problems that weren’t there before. Look at plumbing fixtures and run the water to check pressure and drainage.
Test all appliances to ensure they work properly.
Open and close windows and doors to confirm they function smoothly. Use blue painter’s tape to mark areas needing fixes if defects are found. Take photos or videos of any issues as proof for documentation before closing day.
Confirm all agreed-upon items are present
All agreed items should match the contract. Bring a copy of it during the walkthrough. Look for appliances, fixtures, and anything included in the sale. Verify they are present and in good condition.
Missing items can cost $800–$2,200 or more to replace.
Use receipts and inspection summaries as references. Take photos of missing or incorrect items for proof. Share concerns with your real estate agent before closing day. Make sure everything promised is accounted for to avoid issues later on.
Check that unwanted items have been removed
Ensure the seller has cleared all personal belongings as stated in the contract. Check every room, attic, basement, and garage for leftover items or debris. Look for any trash or unwanted furniture that should not remain.
Use blue painter’s tape to mark items that need removal before closing. Take photos of any issues found and keep them as proof. The home should meet “broom swept” conditions by the seller.
Any violations may require renegotiation or further action before finalizing the sale.
Inspect home interior and exterior
Before checking the interior and exterior, confirm all trash or hazards have been cleared. Look at ceilings, floors, walls, baseboards, and crown molding for cracks or stains. Test doors, locks, latches, windows, and weather seals to make sure they work.
Turn on light fixtures and fans to see if they operate properly.
Outside, check the roof for damage or missing shingles. Examine gutters for blockages and siding for wear or holes. Inspect landscaping; make sure fences are sturdy and outdoor lights function.
If there is a pool or sprinklers, test them too. Bring a flashlight to check dark areas more thoroughly during your walkthrough inspection.
What Is a Punch List?
A punch list is a checklist of tasks that builders need to finish before a project ends. It highlights repairs, fixes, or items not done yet. People often make this list during a pre-final walkthrough when the construction reaches “substantial completion.”.
The term comes from punching holes in paper lists to mark jobs as done, though most are now digital. Common punch list items might include fixing drywall cracks, checking outlets, and repairing handles.
Builders usually withhold 10% of payments until all tasks are completed. This ensures quality and meets agreed standards before closing.
Importance of a Punch List Before Closing
A punch list helps catch problems before closing. It ensures repairs meet project standards, safety rules, and building codes. This minimizes costly fixes after the handover. Checking the list early saves time and money.
It also improves client trust by showing care for quality. Prioritizing tasks keeps you focused on key issues like safety or big defects first. A clear punch list reduces disputes and speeds up project closeout while protecting everyone’s interests.
Key Items to Include in a Punch List
List all unfinished tasks to avoid surprises. Focus on details that affect the home’s condition or usability.
Outstanding repairs or fixes
Check if all repairs are done as promised. Make sure things like broken windows, leaky pipes, or faulty appliances are fixed. Test every appliance to confirm they work. Look for signs of mold in damp areas.
If repairs are missing, ask the seller to handle them before closing. Minor fixes may cost $200–$800; bigger issues can go up to $3,000 or more. Buyers might request escrow funds for unfinished tasks or delay closing until resolved.
Unfinished construction tasks
Unfinished construction tasks cause delays if not fixed before closing. Regular inspections help find these problems early. Use a punch list to track each task with deadlines and updates.
Include descriptions, photos, and specific locations for better management.
Cloud-based software improves tracking by offering real-time updates on progress. This ensures quality assurance and compliance checks stay on track. Addressing incomplete work quickly keeps the project timeline steady.
Damaged or missing items
Take note of damaged flooring, chipped trim, or scratched walls. Document these defects with clear photos. Ensure all light fixtures, fans, and hardware are intact and working properly.
Look for broken windows or missing window screens that need repairs.
Inspect kitchen cabinets for cracks or misalignment. Verify appliances like stoves and refrigerators are not missing from the home. Test doors and windows to confirm they have all necessary parts and function correctly.
Add these issues to your punch list before moving on to unfinished construction tasks.
What to Do If Issues Are Found During the Final Walkthrough
Take photos or videos of the problems. Write down their location and how bad they are. Talk to your realtor about these issues right away for advice on what to do next.
Ask the seller for repairs or money as compensation before closing. If big issues exist, renegotiate the deal or think about walking away. You could also hold funds in escrow until everything is fixed.
Do not close on the house until all problems are solved or clear agreements are made.
Who Should Attend the Final Walkthrough?
The buyer and the buyer’s real estate agent should attend the final walkthrough. Their job is to check if repairs are done, items promised in the contract are included, and no new problems exist.
The seller or their agent can come, but they do not have to be there.
Buyers may invite a home inspector or contractor if needed. This helps spot any missed issues during the inspection. Bring important documents like repair receipts, a flashlight, notes, and your contract for reference during this process.
Next up: learn about scheduling the final walkthrough!
When to Schedule the Final Walkthrough
Plan the final walkthrough 24 to 72 hours before closing. This gives time to find and fix issues. Pick a time when the seller has already moved out.
Do it in daylight for better inspection of the property’s condition. Make sure utilities like water, electricity, and gas are on to check systems and appliances. Allow at least an hour for small homes or up to an hour and a half for larger ones.
Scheduling too late may leave no time for problem resolution or needed documentation updates before closing day.
Can a Buyer Back Out After the Final Walkthrough?
A buyer can back out after the final walkthrough, but only for specific reasons. Common issues include problems found during the inspection, financing falling through, or low appraisal values.
About 5% of real estate contracts end before closing.
Backing out without a valid reason might lead to penalties. Buyers could lose their earnest money if not protected by contingencies in the purchase agreement. The contract terms decide if termination is allowed.
Sometimes legal help is needed to handle the situation properly.
Payment Considerations and the Punch List
Buyers often hold back 10% of the final payment until all punch list tasks are done. Payment retainage is released after items on the punch list are completed and verified.
A Certificate of Substantial Completion ties to the punch list and shows major work is finished. Change orders can add more tasks, which may affect payments or extend timelines. Digital tools help track progress and ensure funds are only released when everything is complete.
Bottom Line
A final walkthrough is your last chance to check the home. Make sure repairs are done, and nothing is damaged or missing. Use a detailed punch list to track issues and confirm fixes.
Take photos to avoid future problems. Double-check everything before you sign!
